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Worth more than Hirst & Broadhead: Ipswich have hit gold on “terrific” star
Ipswich Town Show Spirit Despite Relegation Fears
Despite the looming reality of Premier League relegation, Ipswich Town showed impressive resilience ahead of their clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
In a surprising turn of events, the visiting Tractor Boys stormed to a two-goal lead in the first half, leaving the Stamford Bridge faithful stunned.
Although the match ended in a 2-2 draw, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was undoubtedly the more relieved of the two managers.
For Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna, there were plenty of positives to take from the entertaining encounter. With several players from that spirited performance likely to remain at Portman Road, the foundation for a swift Championship promotion push appears solid.
Planning for the Future at Ipswich
Looking ahead, while players like Liam Delap and Leif Davis could be on their way out, McKenna will be hoping the core of his squad stays intact for the upcoming Championship campaign.
January signing Alex Palmer looks set to be Ipswich’s first-choice goalkeeper. The former West Brom man is no stranger to the second tier and proved his worth with eight vital saves against Chelsea.
Defensively, Irish center-back Dara O’Shea is another likely mainstay. His 11 clearances at Stamford Bridge were key in keeping Chelsea at bay and highlighted his value at the back.
Shaping the Attack Without Delap
If Delap does depart, attention will turn to George Hirst and Nathan Broadhead, who could both benefit from consistent starts in the Championship.
Despite their limited roles this season, they combined for 30 goal contributions during last year’s promotion campaign and both impressed against Chelsea.
However, one player in particular has begun to stand out even more than Hirst and Broadhead—and could be crucial moving forward.
The Rising Star: Ben Johnson
Right wing may become a problem area if Omari Hutchinson opts for a Premier League move, especially with Wes Burns’ ongoing injury struggles.
This could open the door for Ben Johnson, formerly of West Ham, to take on a regular starting role.
Johnson made a big impact against Chelsea, scoring with a powerful header and providing an assist for Julio Enciso.
That took his season tally to four goal contributions, despite only 12 league starts since joining Ipswich on a free transfer last summer.
His market value has since risen to £7 million, according to Transfermarkt—comfortably surpassing both Hirst and Broadhead, each currently valued at £4 million.
Praised as a “terrific” talent by scout Antonio Mango during his early days at West Ham, Johnson’s versatility could be a major asset in the Championship, especially over the course of a demanding 46-game season.
While Hirst and Broadhead will also have key roles to play, Ipswich fans can take heart.
If the team regroups quickly, their return to the Premier League could be more than just a dream—it could be their next destination.
